The U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon urged de-escalation on Friday after a big increase in hostilities at the Lebanese-Israeli border, where Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire for almost a year.

David Lammy has urged British nationals to leave Lebanon, warning that the “situation could deteriorate rapidly.” The Foreign Secretary expressed his deep concern over escalating tensions and civilian casualties during a conversation with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati.